Stellum Black Bourbon

Nose: heavy molasses, brown sugar, sweet tobacco. Palate: very rich mouthfeel. Very sweet with notes of tobacco, oak, caramel, and brown sugar. Finish has a nice black pepper note. Long finish. GREAT Update: The flavor profile has changed since my last tasting of this bottle, and I'm not really a fan. I still enjoy its sweetness, but there's a new, overpowering, cheap-tasting alcohol burn on the back end. Also, a STRONG black pepper note now, which is overwhelming. I'm not a fan anymore. It's similar to drinking something like a Four Loko; it's very sweet and pleasant initially... but then what follows is a bitter, cheap alcohol flavor. Not good. Last time it was a 4.75 for me... this time I'd say a 3, maybe. I'll average those scores for around a 3.75.

Intense smoke and barrel influence on the aroma, presenting a woody, dark character from the barrelhouse. The initial taste reveals burnt sugar, molasses, and toasted nuts, complemented by spicy notes reminiscent of Mexican chocolate. The finish is quite dry and woody. This is the flagship Stellum elevated significantly. Oak, tannin, and wood are the defining elements. Adding water or ice to lower the proof makes it more harmonious and pleasant.

Nose: Vanilla and orange with a hint of caramel. Floral notes in the background. Taste: Sweet oak transitioning into vanilla caramel with a touch of leathery tobacco at the end. I get a jolt of lemonade upfront, which is quite pleasant. Finish: Caramel and leather. Definitely an improvement over the standard Stellum bourbon. Watch video review here! https://youtu.be/5r0V1WvfF4k

A very pronounced fruit profile on the taste, which is somewhat surprising as I didn't detect that on the nose... the nose was quite subtle, so I need to re-evaluate that. The finish is medium and provides a nice warming sensation with a bit of spice at the end. The finish is the best part of the profile... higher proof, but there's no real ethanol noticeable. Quite enjoyable.

The nose is powerfully fragrant with brown sugar, molasses, and cinnamon. It's very dark and smooth, offering a sweet earthiness, like tobacco. The palate has a nice creamy texture, carrying the dark brown sugar and molasses. Cinnamon and black pepper are present on the nose. Truly excellent and at a great proof.

Flaviar bottle 01/2023. It's actually quite pleasant and not as alcoholic as the proof suggests. It straightforwardly presents vanilla and caramel with nutty leather notes, lacking any fruity, herbal, or floral complexity. A solid choice that's easy to sip. It's smooth, but not particularly remarkable.